David Cameron rules out any future military action in Syria

David Cameron has publicly ruled out the prospect of British military action
in Syria following days of speculation that MPs could be allowed to
reconsider the case for intervention because of events in America.

“I accept that Britain can't be part, and won't be part, of any military action on that front but we must not in any degree give up our utter revulsion at the chemical weapons attacks that we have seen and we must press this point in every forum that we are a member," Mr Cameron said.

He added: “I won't be bringing back plans for British participation in military action.”

The Prime Minister warned that the rest of the world is letting down the people of Syria.

He said the Government would continue to exercise its "diplomatic muscle" to press for a peaceful resolution to the conflict but warned that Assad must be put under real pressure from the international community.

His comments came as Sir Peter Tapsell, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, warned of the possibility of “Armageddon” if the American “illegally bombard the Assad forces”.

Mr Cameron replied: "The first point I would make is that we would never support illegal action. We debated and discussed this at some length last week and it is not the case the only way action can be legal is a UN resolution.

"We would only support action that would be legal, we would only support action that was proportionate.

"As I've said, Britain would not be taking part in this action but in a way you have to put the Armageddon question the other way, which is that if no action is taken following President Obama's red line and if no action is taken following this appalling use of chemical weapons, you have to ask yourself what sort of Armageddon are the Syrian people going to be facing?"

The Prime Minister also said that he wants peace talks to take place but that the “participants involved in Syria's bloody conflict” must be prepared to take part.

"We have to make sure it's in their interests that these talks go ahead,” Mr Cameron said. “That's why, yes, diplomacy is important but the work we do with the Syrian opposition that supports democracy, that supports a free, fair and pluralistic society - that is important.

“They are standing up for millions of Syrians who have been bombed and blasted out of their houses. Those are the people you need to talk to in the refugee camps in Jordan and elsewhere - to see how they feel about how badly the rest of the world is currently letting them down.”

Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said last week's vote was not about Britain "shirking its responsibilities" but about preventing a "rush" to war.

He said the key was now bringing other countries to the table - including Iran - to help negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In a question to Mr Cameron, he added: "Do you accept that there remains support across the country for Britain taking every diplomatic, humanitarian effort to help the Syrian people?

"Last week's vote was not about Britain shirking its global responsibilities. It was about preventing a rush to war."

Mr Cameron hit back, claiming there was no need for a Commons vote when the Government had already promised to hold a second vote on the specific issue of military action in Syria.

He said: "Last week the Commons voted clearly and I have said that I have respected the outcome out of that vote and I won't be bringing back plans for British participation in military action.

"I agree with you that we must use everything that we have in our power - our diplomatic networks, our influence with other countries, our membership of all the key bodies, the G8, the G20, the UN, Nato - all of that influence to bring to bear.

"My only regret of last week is that I don't think it was necessary to divide the House on a vote that could have led to a vote but you took the decision that it was."